The Chicago Bears knew they needed to shake things up after a disastrous 3-13 season in 2016. Head coach John Fox knew he was fortunate to keep his job, and some assistants would probably have to be sacrificed as a result. Four assistant coaches were either allowed to leave for other jobs or fired outright.
Running backs coach Stan Drayton took a job down at Texas. Outside linebackers coach Clint Hurtt took the same position with the New York Jets. Meanwhile offensive line coach Dave Magazu and safeties coach Sam Garnes were shone the door. That left four positions Fox would have to fill, and in limited time.
The problem is the situation surrounding his status. Almost everybody knows Fox is coaching for his job in 2017. What they call a “lame duck” situation. Few would want to join a staff that would likely be fired at the end of the season if the team loses again. So it would take careful maneuvering if Fox was going to fill those positions with quality men.
